Vehicle top



2 Sheets-Sheet l D. WEST.

VEHICLE TOP.

(No Model.)

No. 595,228. Patented Dec. 7,1897.

1N: Nonms HJER: co. PNQTD-LITNO.,WASNINGTO 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. D. WEST. VEHICLE TOP.

(No Model.)

llnrrrnn STATES *Arnivr FFICE.

DOUGLAS NEST, OF VERGENNES, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOSH PALMER, OF SAME PLACE.

VEHICLE-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,228, dated December 7, 1897.

Application filed May 13,1897. Serial No. 636,826. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS WEST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vergennes, in the county of Jackson and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Vehicle-Top, of which the following is aspecilication.

The invention relates to improvements in vehicle-tops.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of vehicle-tops and to provide side and storm curtains adapted to be readily arranged in position for shielding the occupants and contents of a vehicle and capable of thoroughly excluding wind and moisture.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive side and storm curtains which may be quickly rolled up when not in use.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle-top provided with curtains constructed in accordance with this invention and shown down. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 4c is a horizontal sectional view of one corner of the supporting-frame. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View taken vertically through the front or storm curtain and illustrating the manner of folding the boot. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken horizontally of the same. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective View of one end of one of the guides. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, illustrating the manner of guiding the curtains. Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a modification of the side curtains. Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of the curtain-supporting brackets.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates substantially vertically-dis posed corner-guides suitably secured to a vehicle -body 2 and supporting a horizontal frame 3, which is composed of longitudinal bars 4 and transverse bars 5, the bars being connected together adjacent to their ends, leaving projecting arms 6 and 7 for supporting side curtains 8 and front and back ourtains 9 and 10. The horizontal frame 3 is designed to support a suitable canopy or covering, and the transverse bars have slightly convex upper edges, preferably formed by cleats or strips and adapted to bow or arch the covering slightly.

Each curtain is provided with a spring-actuated roller 11, which has its spring-journal arranged in a bracket 12, and its other journal is arranged in a bearing-socket of an ad justing-screw13. The bracket12 is mounted on the inner face of one of each pair of arms of the horizontal frame, and the adjustingscrew, which passes through the other arm of the pair, is arranged in a threaded opening of the same, being provided at its outer end with ahead and at its inner end with the bearing-socket.

Each guide, which is constructed of metal, consists of a central web portion and tubular side portions 14, havinglongitudinal slots and forming ways for the reception of bars 15, which are arranged at and secured to the lower free edges of the curtains, and the latter are provided with suitable handles or grips to enable them to be readily manipulated. The curtains slide freely in the ways of the guides, and the side ones are bowed sufficiently to clear the vehicle seat or seats.

The front or storm curtain 9 is provided near its lower free edge with openings 16 for the lines to pass through, and an opening 17 is provided at the top of the front or storm curtain to afford a clear view for the driver.

A folding boot 18 is attached to the free edge of the storm-curtain and is provided at its front with a pocket 19 to fit over the dashboard of the vehicle in the usual manner, and

side flaps 20 are provided for closing the sidesof the body of the Vehicle at the front thereof. The side flaps 20 are adapted to fold on the inner or lower face of the body portion of the boot and are provided at their outer ends with hooks or buttons 21 to engage eyes 22 of the free or outer edge of the pocket of the boot when the parts are folded. The boot, which is provided at its extreme outer ed go with ICO eyes, is connected with the body portion of the storm-curtain when the parts are folded by hooks or buttons 23, located at opposite sides of the opening 17. When the boot is folded, it is arranged flat against the inner or rear face of the front or storm curtain, and it is adapted to be Wound up on the roller with the curtain.

If desired, a pair or more of side curtains may be arranged at each side of the vehicle, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and when this construction is employed the adjacent edges of the side curtains 24: are supported'by a central guide 25, which is provided at its front and rear edges with grooves forming ways.

It will be seen that the vehicle-top is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that the curtains may be readily raised and lowered, and that when they are down they completely shield'the vehicle and its occupants. It will also be seen that the improvements are applicable to various kinds of vehicles and that'the boot is compactly folded when not in use.

' Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the inventlon.

VVha-t I claim is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination'of a horizontal frame composed of longitudinal and transverse bars secured together near their ends and forming projecting arms arranged in pairs at the sides, front and back of the frame, brackets mounted on the inner faces of one arm of each pair, setscrews passing through threaded openings of the other arni of each pair and provided at their outer ends with heads and at their inner ends with bearing-sockets, and curtains provided with spring-rollers having one journal arranged in each bracket and the other journal arranged in the bearingsocket of each set-screw, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a horizontal frame, vertical guides supporting the same and each constructed ofa single piece of metal and consisting of tubular side portions provided with vertical slots, and a central web connecting the tubular side portions, and curtains mounted on the frame and provided with bars engaging the slots, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a vehicle, of a transverselydisposed spring-roller mounted at the front of the vehicle and disposed transversely of the top thereof, a front curtain connected with and adapted to wind up on the springroller, a boot secured to the free edge of the curtain, provided at its front with a pocket and having side flaps, the latter being adapted to fold on the inner face of the boot, said boot being adapted to fold against the inner face of the front curtain, and fastening devices for securing the side flaps to the inner face of the boot and for attaching the latter to the front curtain, whereby both the front curtain and the boot are adapted to roll up together on the said roller, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of the horizontal top frame having the forwardly-projecting portions 6, vertical guides supporting the front of the frame, a horizontal roller journaled between the projecting portions 6, the vertical front curtain mounted in the said guides and connected at itsupper edge to the roller, the boot 18 secured to the lower edge of the front curtain, provided with a pocket and having side flaps, said side flaps being adapted to fold against the inner face of the boot, and the latter being adapted to be arranged against the inner face of the front curtain, and fastening devices for securing the side flaps to the boot and for attaching the free edge of the latter to the front curtain, whereby the boot is held in position to wind up on the roller with the front curtain, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DOUGLAS WEST.

Witnesses:

E. PERRY, H. G. HOISTMAN. 

